Naturalla Beauty

Months and months ago, I was the lucky winner of a Pollen & Wax trial kit in a giveaway on Beauty by Britanie.  Pollen & Wax is a relatively new apothecary line that handcrafts all its products in the Pacific Northwest.  As well as being free of parabens, artificial fragrances and dyes, the company makes a point of sourcing organic, wild-harvested, pollutant-free ingredients.

The line is divided into four skin types, corroborated to the four seasons.

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I chose the April kit, which seemed the best suited for my skin.  The kit included Apollo Cleansing Milk, Lapis Facial Toner, Gold Petal Facial Serum, and Roses & Roses Complexion Clay.  As of right now, only Apollo and Gold Petal are listed on the Pollen & Wax website.  I'm unsure if Lapis and Roses & Roses are temporarily unavailable or if they have been discontinued since I received this kit.



Apollo Cleansing Milk
Apollo is a little different from your standard cleansing milk.  Kaolin clay gently exfoliates and the cleanser feels a bit gritty to the touch.  I like it, but it's a little too abrasive for my skin on an everyday basis.  I've gotten good results using it about twice a week.  It deep cleans and leaves my skin feeling refreshed and soft.

Lapis Facial Toner
This delicately scented toner is an anti-inflammatory blend that includes soothing calendula and aloe, alongside lavender and chamomile essential oils.  I didn't notice any real difference in my skin when using this, but I also didn't have any adverse reactions.  Me and toners is a mixed bag, so take that with a grain of salt.  Lapis does smell nice and it feels refreshing on the skin.  There's no emulsifier added, so you do need to shake it up before each use to re-incorporate the essential oils which rise to the top.

Gold Petal Facial Serum
Specifically geared towards sensitive skin, Gold Petal includes soothing calendula and St. John's Wort, alongside nourishing, reparative ingredients like sea buckthorn and evening primrose oils and helichrysum and carrot seed essential oils.  It's a pretty light oil, so it works equally well for day or night.  I really enjoyed using this one.  

Roses & Roses Complexion Clay
Probably my favorite item in the kit, this is the perfect clay mask for anyone with dry, sensitive or reactive skin.  Similar to my much loved Evan Healy French Rose Clay, Roses & Roses starts with a blend of gentle rose clay and rhassoul clay, but also incorporates kaolin clay, rose powder, marshmallow root, and vanilla bean.  The rose and vanilla add a delicate scent, while the marshmallow root soothes inflammation and prevents any over-drying from the clays.  

The Bottom Line
I'm really happy with my first experience with Pollen & Wax.  The company's attention to pure, quality ingredients really comes through and I'm happy I had the chance to try this kit. Although I enjoyed all four products, Roses & Roses was the clear favorite for me, so I really hope it will be available again in the future.  

Have you tried Pollen & Wax?